Transform Your Yoga Practice With Props

I grew up doing gymnastics so have always been quite flexible.  My ego got in the way when I started practicing yoga by not wanting to use props.  A strap to hold my leg?  A block so I can breathe easier in this position? My thought - that's for rookies!

Props often get the bad rap of being for beginners only.  But props can transform your yoga practice in ways you never would expect.  They will help modify the poses to fit you & your unique self. 

What do you say?  Are you ready to set aside your ego & push aside your prop myths to enhance and transform your practice to be truly your own? Here are some great reasons to pull out those props.

Props help your practice become relationship based instead of forcing yourself into a pose.

Your relationship with your props helps you to be true to yourself and your body.  My arms might reach the floor in twisted triangle because they are proportionally longer than yours or vice versus. By you using the block it helps take away that difference in our body makeup & tailoring the pose to meet your body.

Props help keep you safe.

By using props you can help keep your body safe by not torqueing it in some way it should not go.  This often happens in twists as we try to reach further/the floor and are careless with the alignment, just going deeper. 

Props help you get more out of your practice.

It could be opening, stretching or strengthening.  You will begin to see a difference in your range of motion as you back off, find the form and then go back into the pose using the prop. 

Props help you take slower, deeper breaths and your body to relax.

When you're not straining to reach somewhere then we can focus on the breath more.  Uijjay breath has been shown to bring a calmer, more meditative state to your mind.  By being able to breath slowly & deeply it will stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system to bring about the calmer state.  This then helps with stress relief - which most of us need desperately!

Props bring confidence and help you to try new things.

As you're in the pose, the worry of falling over is gone which ups your confidence, slows down the self criticism and quiets your mind.  (We all need a quieter, more peaceful mind!) More confidence allows you to try new poses. 

Props allow you to feel new activation of muscle groups.

They give you feedback on how your body moves & helps you find muscle imbalances. You are then able to tailor your practice to meet the needs of balancing your body.  

Props allow you to feel all the feelz. Emotionally, you are able to quiet your mind & release into the pose.  Mentally, you give up your ego.  Physically, you will feel an openness, stretch and strength you have not felt before.

Props give you so much feedback in poses to enhance your practice and make it uniquely your own.  The trick is listening to your body, knowing when it needs it and when it doesn't and when it might be time to use the prop in a different way in the same pose. 

Now, go grab your props and add them to your next yoga practice and transform it to fit your unique self!

May you always be true in your intentions, true to your heart's desires and speak loving truth to those around you.  Love ya!